South Dakota: Badlands National Park back to Wall Drug SR 240 makes a 40-mile loop through the South Dakota Badlands, a region of multicolored, deeply eroded rock formations still being shaped by the wind. The Visitor Center at Cedar Pass, towards the eastern end of the route, displays many fossils found in the area. The Badlands should be visited at the right time of day: early morning or late afternoon. The low-lying sun brings out delicate mineral hues from the rock formations, hues washed out by the bright midday sun. Badlands view Prairie dog in the Badlands Door Trail, Badlands National Park Deer in the Badlands Roadscape near Yellow Buttes Windows Trail Changing Scenes Overlook Roadscape in the Badlands Further reading: Barbara Tomovick & Kimberly Metz, The Insiders' Guide to South Dakota's Black Hills and Badlands (2000) continue west toward Rapid City Back to main South Dakota page Back to ROADSIDEPHOTOS.COM home page